Bridesmaid in 3 weeks, strapless dress, tan marks (well more like a higher colour I'm a redhead)

[Duckstar]

I'm a bridesmaid in 3 weeks. Have a lovely strapless dress to wear. I'm a redhead and have very fair skin. Wear lots of SPF (p20); however, in the sunnier weather (and I'm outside a lot) I'm finding my face, neck and up to neck line of clothes is getting a bit tanned/higher colour. I'm conscious of the fact this may look very odd in dress. Do I just cover up for next 3 weeks, big hats, nothing with a low neck (may get a bit hot) or do I consider getting a fake tan? Can you get very light tans?

I am a redhead and have never found a fake tan light enough to look nice. I would go for factor 50 and cover up.

I'm very fair and find one of the gradual tanners is enough to give me a glow. I use dove light gradual tan. Use it for about 3 days and it should even out things without adding too much tan.

I was bridesmaid for my friend and we went abroad, I got tan marks the first day and it looked horrendous! The bride didn't care but I felt horribly self conscious so I'd I was you I'd try to avoid lines!

If I were you I would call up a few salons, explain the situation and ask if they can do a test patch on you (on your thigh or somewhere equally discrete). There are options on how dark you can go; you don't have to be creosote. Gradual tanners are very good but you don't want to be panicking over missing a spot (especially if it's a backless dress!) or having orange hands if this is your first go.

Thanks for all the tips will ring a local salon and see if they can do a patch test. CallmeNancy my Mum suggested the same idea (in jest), but I think a floor length dress might be slightly ott for the school run, but might start a trend!